To manage a squad brilliantly doesn't mean to avoid any unexpected losses and to not make any mistakes. To manage a squad brilliantly is to win titles and set records. We had 3 unexpected losses last season. Or even 4. Didn't stop us from winning the title. You don't improve on 100 pts. A random fan like you to teach Pep how to manage the squad and to characterize his decision making as bizarre and nonsensical is bizarre and nonsensical.
they don't lose games and drop points in bunches, yes last year they got some incredibly improbable luck, but they are solid at the back and improving, so I agree the head to head games are gonna be big, obviously.If we are within 6 points of Liverpool when we play them in April, then it's game on. For now it's about keeping up with them. The level of luck and consistency they will need to pull away will be remarkable.
Who said I am teaching Pep? He knows more about football than me and is far more successful than I have ever done anything in the game.
Doesn’t mean that he should not be pointed out for mistakes that people think he has done. He makes mistakes and I and others will point them out. Resting your best and influential player for a tough away game is a mistake and you don’t need a champions league winners medal to qualify that opinion.
they don't lose games and drop points in bunches, yes last year they got some incredibly improbable luck, but they are solid at the back and improving, so I agree the head to head games are gonna be big, obviously.
I would rather go with Garcia, Fernandinho or Walker as CB going forward, than having to see John Stones same old school boy defending again. When is he ever going to improve? He hasn't improved enough under Pep, to be honest and it's been three years. Just look at his positioning before Norwich second goal – what is he thinking going so high up on the pitch and then throwing his arms up crying for an offside call instead of positioning himself correctly behind their attacker and closing him down? He has no vision for the game, at all. I've been more than patient with Stones but it's clear he is lacking a lot in defensive capabilities and overall understanding of the game and it becomes very clear now that his much better defensive partner Laporte isn't there to rescue him.
I don't even want to get into Otamendi. He is even worse.
I honestly think Pep will buy a right-footed world class centre-back next summer to team up with Laporte. Stones will become a squad player because he is not at Laporte's level. Too many mistakes, too insecure, too passive and not strong enough. We need a big and strong, almost Rodri-like centre back.
Pep underestimating his opponent became clear once again. I don't understand why he keeps doing this. At least start with De Bruyne, kill the game off early and then substitute him early. But all credit to Norwich for a rock-solid defense.
Oh well, onwards and upwards.
Oh dearI would rather go with Garcia, Fernandinho or Walker as CB going forward, than having to see John Stones same old school boy defending again. When is he ever going to improve? He hasn't improved enough under Pep, to be honest and it's been three years. Just look at his positioning before Norwich second goal – what is he thinking going so high up on the pitch and then throwing his arms up crying for an offside call instead of positioning himself correctly behind their attacker and closing him down? He has no vision for the game, at all. I've been more than patient with Stones but it's clear he is lacking a lot in defensive capabilities and overall understanding of the game and it becomes very clear now that his much better defensive partner Laporte isn't there to rescue him.
I don't even want to get into Otamendi. He is even worse.
I honestly think Pep will buy a right-footed world class centre-back next summer to team up with Laporte. Stones will become a squad player because he is not at Laporte's level. Too many mistakes, too insecure, too passive and not strong enough. We need a big and strong, almost Rodri-like centre back.
Pep underestimating his opponent became clear once again. I don't understand why he keeps doing this. At least start with De Bruyne, kill the game off early and then substitute him early. But all credit to Norwich for a rock-solid defense.
Oh well, onwards and upwards.
What a lot of crap, so your fed up with Stones just like the gutter press,
Stones always comes back from injuries and makes mistakes in his first few games then he is one of our best players with excellent positioning, he is also one of the best passers at the back with his good vision, getting Laporte and Stones back playing regularly together is what we need, having a capable back up for both is what we wanted and what Maguire was capable of